Dietsmann Strengthens Its African Presence at AEW 2025 Energy Forum

By Ajong Mbapndah L *

After attending a couple of African Energy Week (AEW) editions alone, Cesare Canevese and Dietsmann shifted gears for the 2025 edition. This time, they came with full force. Senior management was on site, and the company’s stand turned heads with an impressive display of advanced technology — the same innovations that have powered Dietsmann’s strong and growing reputation across Africa’s energy landscape.

Throughout the week, Cesare was a familiar presence on panels and in the corridors — exchanging ideas, sharing lessons from decades of operation in Africa, and emphasizing the value of long-term partnerships. His message was clear: Dietsmann’s model of innovation, local engagement, and trust remains key to powering Africa’s energy reawakening.

On the sidelines of the conference, Pan African Vision’s Managing Editor  sat down with him for a conversation in which Cesare shared his reflections on Dietsmann’s journey, Africa’s vast opportunities, and how local content and collaboration remain central to the company’s success.

This is your third African Energy Week. What are your impressions so far?

It’s been outstanding. Each edition builds on the last, and 2025 feels like a real turning point. The scale has grown, but more importantly, the quality of dialogue has deepened. You can feel a stronger sense of purpose — everyone here is focused on practical collaboration. For us, visibility matters, but engagement matters more. We came with a bigger team, a more interactive stand, and even showcased new robotics technologies. The response has been fantastic. It’s not just about showing what Dietsmann can do; it’s about being part of Africa’s evolving energy conversation.

We noticed Dietsmann’s bigger footprint this year. Does that mean more is in store?

Definitely. We didn’t expand for the sake of appearance — it’s strategic. The aim was to bring more of our experts, more of our technology, and more of our story to the table. When people interact with our teams directly, they see the human side of our business — the experience, the reliability, the passion. We’re already planning to go even further next year, with deeper partnerships and new technology showcases. AEW gives us a great platform not just to be seen, but to lead meaningful discussions on Africa’s industrial and energy growth.

Looking specifically at Congo, what is the scope for investment today?

Congo continues to offer tremendous potential. Our operations there are a source of real pride — nearly 90% of our workforce is Congolese. That’s not just a statistic; it’s the result of years of training, mentoring, and trust-building. These are highly skilled professionals who run and maintain offshore facilities with real expertise. The next step is to build on that base — to expand local capacity, bring in more technology, and develop even stronger partnerships that sustain operations for decades. The opportunities are there, and we’re deeply committed to nurturing them.

And what about opportunities beyond Congo?

Our experience in Congo has given us a model that works across the continent. Whether offshore in Angola or onshore in Nigeria, our focus is on partnership and performance. We bring consistency, but we also adapt to local realities. Dietsmann doesn’t just execute contracts — we build ecosystems. That’s what sets us apart. When we enter a market, our goal is to leave behind knowledge, confidence, and infrastructure that empower local teams long after a project ends.

Local content and people are central themes at this conference. What is Dietsmann’s approach?

Local content is at the heart of our philosophy. We believe real impact comes from inclusion — from giving people not only jobs, but real career paths. Across Africa, we’ve built training programs that prepare local talent for leadership and technical roles. You’ll find national engineers, supervisors, and managers leading our operations. That kind of empowerment changes communities. It creates ownership, and it makes every project more sustainable. When people feel part of the story, they drive success with pride.

Some international players remain hesitant about African investments. What’s your perspective?

Hesitation is understandable, but Africa’s story today is one of momentum. We’re seeing discoveries translate into projects, and projects into operations. Over the next four to five years, the pace of development will accelerate — not only in oil and gas, but in power, construction, and infrastructure. There’s a tangible shift toward diversification and long-term planning. For investors, this is the time to be present and proactive. Waiting on the sidelines only means missing opportunities that are becoming more real every year.

Any major investments Dietsmann is preparing to announce?

We’re very optimistic about our future in Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, and Angola. These countries are dynamic, each with unique potential. We’re already active in several of them, but our focus now is expansion through partnership. Growth for us isn’t just about increasing contracts; it’s about transferring expertise, developing local industries, and ensuring communities benefit directly from our presence. That’s the essence of sustainable investment — progress that’s shared and lasting. In closing, Dietsmann’s strong showing at AEW 2025 wasn’t just symbolic. It marked a deeper commitment to Africa — one built on technology, people, and partnership. With forward-looking leadership, the company continues to prove that Africa’s energy transformation is not a distant goal, but a journey already well underway — and Dietsmann intends to be right at its center.

*Culled from October Edition of PAV Magazine